Pastor's Corner - "The Urgency of Discipleship"

The gospel for the weekend is a powerful and clear exposition of what Christian discipleship really means. At first glance, it may seem that Jesus was not being respectful or sensitive to one’s obligations towards family. When a prospective follower asked Jesus if it was okay for him to bury his father first, Jesus told him to “let the dead bury the dead.” Then another prospective disciple asked him if it was okay to first say goodbye to his family before joining him, Jesus told him, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.” Before we get
confused on these seemingly insensitive words of Christ, it would be helpful for us to understand the context of this story. There are two mainstream biblical interpretations for this story. In the version of Matthew of this same account, he mentioned that this particular encounter happened in the evening – which means that when the man asked Jesus if he could bury his father first, he was actually telling Christ he could follow him only after his father’s death because the tradition of the Jews only allows burial before sundown; he was waiting for his father to die before he could commit to Christ. What we have in this gospel is not a picture of a God who does not understand our own
obligations towards our families but, rather, a God who wants us to comprehend that to follow him requires a sense of urgency. There is no postponement – no excuses and no delays. Christian discipleship requires a great sense of commitment. It is more than just a desire to follow the Lord but, really, a decisive decision to begin right away. It is more than just a sincere intention to lead a life according to the Gospel, but truly doing the first step in making that intention a reality. What the prospective disciples in the gospel story did not understand is that the Lord, who was waiting for them to follow him right away, is the same Lord who sustains everything there is – including their families. What they did not realize is that to embrace Christ is to gain everything, which means being assured of God’s protection and guidance for their families and everyone dear to them. God is a sensitive God – he knows our deepest concerns and desires. The story of the prospective disciples in the gospel can also be our own story. We can have the best intention and noblest desire to follow the Lord but, at times, there is that fear and
apprehension to make a solid commitment. What does this real commitment really entail? Committing oneself to the Gospel does not just mean externally fulfilling our
religious obligations or having a routine of religious pieties but, rather, developing a living relationship with God marked by honesty, spontaneity – a relationship where we can be who we are – where we can ask of and tell God the things that disturb us – of the things that confuse and bother us about our Church and our faith. To commit oneself to the Gospel also means looking at our own self as a pilgrim journeying with others – a pilgrim who is open to be affected and to be moved by the sufferings of others, a pilgrim who also rejoices with the success of others, a pilgrim who is willing to listen sincerely to someone who has difficulty finding his/her place in the Church. In as much as the Lord demands
urgency in our response to follow him, he is also very respectful of our own unique situations and challenges. In the gospel, even though Jesus was not welcomed by the Samaritans in their village on his way to Jerusalem, he did not condemn them as opposed to his disciples who asked him to punish those who did not receive them. Like the disciples, there are times when we think that we have to take care of God because he is defenseless. The good news is: He can take care of himself. What we find in Christ is a God who does not coerce anybody to follow Him – a God who meets us where we are but, loves so much, that he does not want us to remain in our sinfulness. He takes us out of our miseries and sinfulness, not through intimidation or an external pressure, showing or ridiculing us of our own frailty but, rather, talks to us with compassion, with forgiving and a nonjudgmental heart. One of the most damaging forms of evangelization is when one projects to other people how holy they are by looking down on the challenges and frailties of others. If the ultimate objective of Christian discipleship is to be like Christ, then to be like him is to show our respect, our love and compassion, even to those who are not favorable to us just like what Jesus did with the Samaritans. It is only when we realize that we don’t always have it right, that we can enter into a real conversation and dialogue with others whom we have a difficult time relating with.
Reflecting on this, to follow the Lord requires a great sense of balance, a great sense of prudence. Yes, his invitation to follow him needs an urgent response but, at the same time, he wants us to follow Him in complete freedom and joy. What are those things and attitudes that hinder us to fully commit ourselves to Christ – probably the difficulty to forgive someone who has hurt us, or probably having that pride to ask for mercy and
forgiveness from someone whom we have hurt; are there any strained relationships in our lives that until now continue to bother us? Are there any kinds of addictions – alcohol, drugs, pornography - that enslave us and hinder us to be genuinely truthful and honest with ourselves and with those who love us? God is telling us right now to free ourselves from these burdens. Life is too short to waste our time and energy by wallowing in our sinfulness and guilt. Our firm decision to cross the path of life and joy is of utmost urgency because we never know if we will have the chance again. – Fr. Cary